Built: 1837
Designed by: Berthel Thorvaldsen, Danish sculptor
Cast by: Charles Crozatier, French sculptor
Style: Classicism

Today's Gutenbergplatz was already intended to be the site of a monument to the world-famous inventor in 1804. On behalf of Napoleon, French engineer Eustache Saint-Far (1796 to 1826) had planned a representative city axis connecting Schillerplatz and Höfchen. However, the project, which was started under French rule, was only completed decades later in a modified form by city architects Augustin Wetter and Georg Moller from Darmstadt.

To mark what was believed to be the 400th anniversary of the invention of printing, the city of Mainz commissioned the creation of the monument.

Danish sculptor Berthel Thorvaldsen, one of the most successful classicist artists, agreed to create his homage to the inventor free of charge. In the summer of 1833, he and his student Hermann Wilhelm Bissen presented the plaster model of the monument to the Mainz Monument Commission. The bronze casting followed shortly thereafter.

The inauguration of the Gutenberg monument on August 14, 1837, was accompanied by three days of festivities. Thousands of people watched the grand parade for the unveiling, listened to speeches, watched torchlight processions, attended premieres, balls, and fireworks displays.

The monument was financed by donations from all over Europe. This is also indicated by the Latin inscription:

"Johannes Gensfleisch zum Gutenberg, the patrician of Mainz, had this monument erected in 1837 by his fellow citizens from contributions from all over Europe."

The bronze monument was cast in Paris by French sculptor Charles Crozatier based on designs by Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen.

The two bronze relief panels on the pedestal are also by Thorvaldsen.

The monument was originally surrounded by a fence, which was removed in 1933.

The monument shows an idealized representation of Mainz's most famous son, of whom no contemporary portrait survives. Ludwig Lindenschmit the Elder, an art teacher from Mainz, had sent Thorvaldsen drawings that conveyed the contemporary costume and appearance of the inventor as desired by the monument commission.

The statue stands upright on its pedestal in an antique contrapposto pose: weight on the right leg, left leg slightly forward. In his right hand he holds two of the letters he developed. In his left hand he holds the Bible, his best-known and most perfect printed work.

The bronze relief panels illustrate the use of the printing types and the operation of the printing press.

The Gutenberg Monument is one of the first bronze monuments erected in honor of a commoner.

Life pulsates at his feet: In the summer, the people of Mainz, together with visitors to the city, even celebrate a four-day festival in his honor—the Johannisnacht. Around the Gutenberg Monument, the city transforms into a vast festival grounds, commemorating the world-famous inventor with the book market, the traditional printer’s baptism (Gautschen), and the old printers’ game of “Preisquadräteln.”

In the fall, tents line up around the monument—it’s time once again for the Science Market, which invites children and adults alike to become researchers themselves.

And during Carnival season, the revelers gather at the Gutenberg Monument and sometimes even put a jester’s cap on him.

No matter the season—the world-famous inventor certainly can’t complain of boredom.